Baby bottle holder

ABSTRACT

A baby bottle holder secures the bottle in a convenient hands-free position and allows a baby to receive liquid. The baby bottle holder is removably attached to a bib or other suitable article of clothing worn by the baby. The bottle is removably engaged by the baby bottle holder. At least one strap may be employed to fasten the bottle to the baby bottle holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of infant care andmore particularly to devices that provide for the “hands free” feedingof babies.

2. Background Information

In the past, various devices and methods have been used and proposed toassist in the feeding of babies. However, these devices and methods havesignificant limitations and shortcomings. Prior art structures aregenerally complex, cumbersome to use, or expensive. Moreover, nonedisclose a portable device for hands-free bottle feeding of an infant.The busy lifestyle of the modern parents which include commuting andtransporting the family has increased the necessity for a device whichwill permit the baby to feed himself while the care-giver is otherwiseengaged. For example, while driving the family car, the baby often dropsthe bottle and begins crying when he can not feed himself. The caregiver cannot look for the dropped bottle while driving. Therefore, aneed exists for a hands-free device which is attached to the baby andsecures the baby bottle in a position which will enable the flow of themilk or other liquid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A baby bottle holder secures the bottle in a convenient hands-freeposition and holds the bottle an angle which allows a baby to receiveliquid. The baby bottle holder is removably attached to a bib or othersuitable article of clothing worn by the baby. The bottle is removablyengaged by the baby bottle holder. At least one strap may be employed tofasten the bottle to the baby bottle holder.

In the preferred embodiment, the baby bottle holder of the presentinvention includes a support made of compliant but firm material, such afoam. The support holds the bottle and at least one strap and anattachment which affixes the holder to the baby's clothing, such as abib. The foam support is a block-shaped with a concavity, which mayadvantageously be a semicircular, with a diameter selected to snuglygrip the bottle. The concavity is placed at a height selected so thatwhen the bottle is received by the support, the bottle can be placed atan angle using gravitational force to cause the milk to flow into thebaby's mouth or tilted backward so that the liquid is not flowing. Whenthe bottle is placed at the correct angle, the straps are used to securethe bottle in that position.

In another embodiment, the holder may also be a frame which includes atop surface, a bottom surface, a long axis, a first end and a secondend.

The neck support includes a front face, a top end and a bottom end. Thebottom end may be attached to the top surface substantially adjacent tothe first end of the frame. The top end includes a neck receiver. Theneck receiver may be sized and shaped to cradle the neck of a babybottle. The neck of a baby bottle is located between the cap and theshoulder of the bottle. The neck receiver may be V-shape, U-shape,rectilinear, an open top oval, an open top circle, an open top heartshape or any other suitable shape. The neck support may be orientatedrelative to the frame so the long axis of a cradled baby bottle issubstantially parallel to the long axis of the frame.

Each stop includes a bottom face and a front face. The bottom face of afirst stop may be attached to the top surface substantially adjacent tothe second end of the frame. The front face of the first stop issubstantially parallel to the front face of the neck support. The babybottle is placed in the neck of the baby bottle holder and the bottom isplaced against the stop. The combination of the neck support and thestop prevents the baby bottle from moving substantially parallel to thelong axis of the frame. At least one other stop may be located betweenthe first stop and the neck support and orientated substantiallyparallel to the first stop. Various stop locations correspond to thediffering length baby bottles with the stop for shorter bottles locatedcloser to the neck support while the stop for taller bottles is locatedcloser to the second end of the frame. Each stop may be shaped as arectangle, a half circle, a triangle or any other suitable shape. Eachstop may also have a raised surface on the front face that helps it toengage a curved or concave shaped bottle bottom.

At least one strap may be used to retain a cradled baby bottle with itsbottom abutting the stop to the baby bottle holder. Each strap has afirst end and a second end. The first end of each strap may be attachedto the first edge of the frame or to the neck support in any suitablelocation. The second end of each strap is attached to the second edge ofthe frame by a fastening mechanism to hold the baby bottle to the framewhen the neck of the bottle is removably engaged with the neck supportand the bottom butts up against the stop. The second end of each strapmay be attached by hook and loop(“Velcro®”) material or any othersuitable fastening mechanism.

An attachment mechanism may be attached to the bottom surface of theframe. The attachment mechanism may be hook and loop material or anyother suitable material. The attachment mechanism holds the baby bottleholder to any suitable surface such as a bib, shirt, blouse or dress.

When in use, the support is removably attached to the baby's bib by hookand loop material (“Velcro®”) with the neck support located closer tothe baby's mouth while the stop is further away. The neck of a babybottle is installed into the neck support while the bottle bottom isbrought to abut the stop. The second end of each strap is connected toretain the bottle to the support. The nipple of the bottle is guidedinto the baby's mouth. The baby bottle holder holds the bottle infeeding position while the baby receives liquid.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the baby bottle holderincludes two straps. The first end of a first strap is attached to thefirst edge of the frame. The first end of a second strap is attached tothe second edge of the frame. The second end of the first strap isattached to the second end of the second strap to form a loop around ababy bottle removably engaged with the holder. The second end of thefirst strap may be attached to the second end of the second strap byhook and loop material or any other suitable fastening mechanism.

The height of the neck receiver may be adjustable.

The baby bottle holder may be attached to an article of child's clothingwhile removably engaging a baby bottle at an orientation suitable forhands-free drinking. The attachment mechanism may attach the holder to abib, a shirt, a dress, a blouse or other suitable surface.

The holder removably engages the baby bottle. The holder may beblock-shaped with a concavity, which may advantageously be asemicircular, with a diameter selected to snugly grip the bottle. Theconcavity is placed at a height selected so that when the bottle isreceived by the support, the bottle can be placed at an angle usinggravitational force to cause the milk to flow into the baby's mouth.When the bottle is placed at the correct angle, the straps are used tosecure the bottle in that position.

The holder may be rectilinear, but other suitable shapes may be used.The cross sectional shape of the concavity may be V-shape, U-shape,rectilinear, an open top oval, an open top circle, an open top heartshape or any other suitable shape. The support includes a first surface,a second surface, an upper surface and a bottom surface. The holder maybe fabricated from closed-celled foam, rubber or any suitable material.The upper surface includes a concavity extending from the front surfaceto the back surface. The concavity may be substantially parallel to thefirst surface and the second surface. The concavity removably engages aportion of the outer surface of a baby bottle. The removably engagedbottle may be held by the holder such that it does not shift or sliprelative to the holder. The concavity substantially envelops a portionof the outer surface of the baby bottle. An attachment mechanism islocated on the bottom surface.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the baby bottle holderalso includes at least one strap. The strap includes a first end and asecond end. The first end may be attached to the first side or thesecond side or any other suitable location on the holder. The second endincludes a fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism may attach thesecond end to another strap or to any suitable location on the holder.When fastened across a bottle removably engaged by the concavity, thestrap retrains the battle to the holder.

The concavity may be inclined relative to the bottom surface. Theinclination of the cavity may increase efficiency and comfort of thechild during drinking.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the attachmentmechanism may be hook and loop or other suitable attachment mechanism.

These and other features and advantages of this invention will becomefurther apparent from the detailed description and accompanying figuresthat follow. In the figures and description, numerals indicate thevarious features of the invention, like numerals referring to likefeatures throughout both the drawings and the description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top view of one embodiment of the baby bottle holderinstalled on a bib according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the baby bottle holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the baby bottle holder of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a top view of a baby bottle holder installed on a bib of thepreferred embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a front view of the baby bottle holder of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a side view of the baby bottle holder of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D is a front view of an of the preferred embodiment of the holderof FIG. 2A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, a baby bottle holder 10 secures thebaby bottle 12. The baby bottle holder 10 is removably attached to a bib16. The baby bottle 12 is removably engaged by the baby bottle holder10. Baby bottle holder 10 includes frame 66, neck support 14, stops 34and 38, first strap 42, second strap 54 and attachment mechanism 94.

Frame 66 includes long axis 72, top surface 70, bottom surface 74, firstend 78, second end 82, first edge 86 and second edge 90.

Neck support 14 includes front face 19, top end 18 and bottom end 21.Bottom end 21 may be attached to top surface 70 substantially adjacentto first end 78. Top end 18 includes neck receiver 26. Neck receiver 26has a V-shape 30. Neck receiver 26 may be sized and shaped to cradleneck 25 of baby bottle 12. Neck 25 is located between cap 27 andshoulder 29 of baby bottle 12. Neck support 14 may be orientated so thatlong axis 72 is substantially perpendicular to front face 19.

First strap 42 may be employed to fasten baby bottle 12 to baby bottleholder 10. First strap 42 includes a first end 46 and a second end 50.First end 46 may be attached to frame 66. Fastening mechanism 41 may beattached to second end 50. Second strap 42 may be employed to fastenbaby bottle 12 to baby bottle holder 10. Second strap 54 includes afirst end 58 and a second end 62. First end 58 may be attached to frame66. Fastening mechanism 43 may be attached to second end 62.

Stop 34 and 38 includes respective bottom ends 35 and 39 and front face36and 40. Bottom end 39 may be attached to top surface 70 substantiallyadjacent to second end 82. Front faces 36 and 40 are substantiallyparallel to front face 19. Baby bottle 12 may be orientated relative tobaby bottle holder 10 so that bottom 20 butts up against front face 36.The combination of neck support 14 and stop 34 prevents baby bottle 12from moving substantially parallel to long axis 72. Stop 34 may belocated between stop 38 and neck support 14 and orientated substantiallyparallel to stop 38. Each stop 34 and 38 may be shaped as a rectangle, ahalf circle, a triangle or any other suitable shape. Each stop 34, 38may also have a raised surface on front face 36, 40 that helps it toengage a curved or concave shaped bottom 20.

Attachment mechanism 94 for attaching the frame to the bib or other itemof clothing may be affixed to bottom surface 74 of the frame. Theattachment mechanism 94 may be hook and loop material or any othersuitable means of attachment. The attachment mechanism 94 fastens babybottle holder 10 to the support to bib 16.

When in use, neck 25 of a baby bottle 12 may be installed into neckreceiver 26 while bottle bottom 20 butts against stop 34. A shorter babybottle 12 may butt against stop 38. Fastening mechanism 41 and 43 may beattached to retain baby bottle 12 to baby bottle holder 10. Nipple 39enters baby's mouth 37. Baby bottle holder 10 is removeably attached tothe bib 16 by attachment mechanism 94. Baby bottle holder 10 holds babybottle 12 while the baby receives liquid.

Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, a preferred embodiment of babybottle holder 110 secures the baby bottle 112. The baby bottle holder110 is removably attached to a bib 116. The baby bottle 112 is removablyengaged by the baby bottle holder 110. Baby bottle holder 110 includesgrip 114, first strap 118, second strap 120 and attachment mechanism122.

Grip 114 includes front surface 126, back surface 128, first surface130, second surface 132, upper surface 134 and bottom surface 136. Theupper surface 134 includes concavity 138. Concavity 138 extends fromfront surface 126 to back surface 128. Concavity 138 may besubstantially parallel to first surface 126 or second surface 132.Concavity 138 includes surface 140 shaped to substantially envelop aportion of outer surface 142 of baby bottlel 12. The cross-section ofconcavity 138 shown in FIG. 2B is an open top heart shape 141. Thecross-section of concavity 138 shown in FIG. 2D is a U-shape 139.Concavity 138 may be inclined relative to bottom surface 136.

First strap 118 may be employed to fasten baby bottle 112 to baby bottleholder 110. First strap 118 includes a first end 144 and a second end146. First end 144 may be attached to first surface 130. Fasteningmechanism 148 may be attached to second end 146. Second strap 118 may beemployed to fasten baby bottle 112 to baby bottle holder 110. Secondstrap 118 includes a first end 150 and a second end 152. First end 150may be attached to second surface 132. Fastening mechanism 154 may beattached to second end 152.

Attachment mechanism 122 may be affixed to bottom surface 136.Attachment mechanism 122 may be hook and loop material 158 or any othersuitable means of attachment. The attachment mechanism 122 fastens babybottle holder 110 to the support to bib 116.

When in use, baby bottle 112 may be removably engaged by surface 140.Baby bottle holder 110 may be orientated so that nipple 160 entersbaby's mouth 162. Baby bottle holder 110 is removably attached to thebib 116 by attachment mechanism 122. Baby bottle holder 110 holds babybottle 112 while the baby receives liquid.

Having now described the invention in accordance with the requirementsof the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will understand how tomake changes and modifications in the present invention to meet theirspecific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention asset forth in the following claims and their legal equivalents.

1. A baby bottle holder for use with baby clothing comprising: a necksupport having, a front face, a top end and a bottom end, the top endforming a neck receiver; at least one stop having a front face; at leastone strap with a first end and a second end, the second end having afastening mechanism; a frame with a top surface, a bottom surface, afirst end, a second end, a long axis, a first edge and a second edge;wherein the bottom end of the neck support is attached to the topsurface substantially adjacent to the first end, the front face of theneck support is substantially perpendicular to the long axis of theframe, the front face of the stop is orientated substantially parallelto the front face of the neck support, the stop is attached to the topsurface substantially adjacent to the second end, the first end of thestrap is attached to said frame and; an attachment mechanism is attachedto said bottom surface of said frame for affixing said neck support tothe baby clothing.
 2. The baby bottle holder according to claim 1wherein the neck support is fabricated from a flat plate.
 3. The babybottle holder according to claim 2 wherein the shape of the neckreceiver being selected from the group consisting of a V-shape, U-shape,a rectilinear shape, an open top oval shape, an open top circle shape oran open top heart shape.
 4. The baby bottle holder according to claim 1,wherein a first stop is attached to the top surface substantiallyadjacent to the second end and a second stop is attached to the topsurface of the frame between the first stop and the neck support.
 5. Thebaby bottle holder according to claim 1, wherein said attachmentmechanism having hook and loop material.
 6. The baby bottle holderaccording to claim 1, wherein said fastening mechanism having hook andloop material.
 7. The baby bottle holder according to claim 1 whereinthe distance between the neck receiver and the bottom end of the necksupport is adjustable.
 8. A baby bottle holder comprising: a necksupport having a top end and a bottom end, the top end having a neckreceiver, wherein the shape of the neck receiver being selected from thegroup consisting of a V-shape, U-shape, a rectilinear shape, an ovalshaped curve and a circular shaped curve; a first stop; a second stop; afirst strap having a first end and a second end, the second end havinghook material; a second strap having a first end and a second end, thesecond end having loop material; a frame with a top and bottom surfaceand a first end and a second end and a first edge and a second edge, thebottom end of the neck support is located on the top surface near andsubstantially parallel to the first end, the first stop is locatedsubstantially parallel to the neck support and substantially adjacent tothe second end, the second stop is substantially parallel to the firststop and located on the top surface between the first stop and thesecond end of the frame, the first end of the first strap is attachedsubstantially adjacent to the first edge between the neck support andthe second stop, the first end of the second strap is attachedsubstantially adjacent to the second edge between the neck support andthe second stop; an attachment mechanism is located on said bottomsurface of said frame, the attachment mechanism having hook and loopmaterial.
 9. A baby bottle holder comprising: a grip formed from arectangular-shaped element, said grip with a front surface, a backsurface, a first surface, a second surface, an upper surface and abottom surface, the upper surface having a concavity extending from thefront surface to the back surface, the concavity having a surface shapedto substantially envelop a portion of the outer surface of a babybottle; an attachment mechanism located on the bottom surface of saidgrip.
 10. The baby bottle holder according to claim 9 further comprisinga plurality of straps with a first end and a second end, the second endhaving a fastening mechanism, the first end of at least one strap isattached to the first surface, the first end of the second strap isattached to the first surface, the second end is releasably attached tothe second surface.
 11. The baby bottle holder according to claim 9wherein the cross sectional shape of the concavity being selected fromthe group consisting of a V-shape, U-shape, a rectilinear shape, an opentop oval shape, an open top circle shape or an open top heart shape. 12.The baby bottle holder according to claim 9 wherein the concavityremoveably engages the outer surface of a baby bottle.
 13. The babybottle holder according to claim 9 wherein the concavity is inclinedrelative to the bottom surface.
 14. The baby bottle holder according toclaim 9 wherein the attachment mechanism having hook and loop material.15. A baby bottle holder for use with baby clothing comprising: a gripformed from a rectangular-shaped element, said grip with a frontsurface, a back surface, a first surface, a second surface, an uppersurface and a bottom surface, formed with a concavity extending betweensaid first and second surfaces and between said front surface to theback surface, said concavity defining a lip in the upper surface of saidgrip for securing a portion of the outer surface of a baby bottle; aremovable attachment mechanism for securing said grip to the babyclothing.
 16. The baby bottle holder of claim 15 wherein said grip iscomprised of closed cell foam.
 17. A baby bottle holder for use withbaby clothing comprising: a grip formed from a rectangular-shapedelement, said grip with a front surface, a back surface, a firstsurface, a second surface, an upper surface and a bottom surface, theupper surface forming a concavity extending between said first andsecond surfaces and between said front surface to the back surface, saidgrip including means for securing the baby bottle; a removableattachment mechanism for securing said grip to the baby clothing. 18.The baby bottle holder according to claim 15 further comprising aplurality of straps with a first end and a second end, the second endhaving a fastening mechanism, the first end of at least one strap isattached to the first surface, the first end of the second strap isattached to the first surface, the second end is releasably attached tothe second surface.
 19. The baby bottle holder according to claim 15wherein the cross sectional shape of the concavity being selected fromthe group consisting of a V-shape, U-shape, a rectilinear shape, an opentop oval shape, an open top circle shape or an open top heart shape. 20.The baby bottle holder according to claim 15 wherein the concavityremoveably engages the outer surface of a baby bottle.
 21. The babybottle holder according to claim 15 wherein the concavity is inclinedrelative to the bottom surface.
 22. The baby bottle holder according toclaim 15 wherein the attachment mechanism includes a hook and loopmaterial.